I STEPPED out to examine the giant snow block thwarting my progress through South Derbyshire – and received a hard slap in the face from ice crystals blown by the bitter wind.

With a 6ft snowdrift blocking my way along the A514 near Ticknall, I sought refuge in my Vauxhall Corsa and I contemplated what to do next. The time on my dashboard read 7.15am. Cars were few on the road but those that were around were turning back.

With no other option, I did likewise, fearing I would become stuck if I took on the edges of the snowdrift.

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There was a short diversion I knew – down Coal Lane and on to the B5006 Derby Road. My disruption would be short lived, or so I thought.

But the B5006 was also blocked. This time the built-up snow dwarfed my car.

The only other way into Derby would be to backtrack to Swadlincote, traipse through traffic-prone Burton and on to the A38 into Derby, or head for the M1.

As diversions go, it would be like going from Normanton to Spondon via Ashbourne – a long-way round that would be gridlocked.

I needed a viable plan C – but there wasn't one.

It was time to backtrack.

Once back at the A514, I was able to take another look at the snowdrift. This time, a JCB and a tractor were there, trying to dig a way through for motorists.

But, after 10 minutes of waiting, I had advanced no further. Having been given the go-ahead to go home and work from there, I turned my car around and was able to drive freely back towards Swadlincote.

But, two minutes later, the traffic came to a sudden halt.

If this was the end of a queue stretching to Swadlincote, I was going to be in it for a very, very long time.

Head home or try again to reach Derby – both options seemed hopeless.

With the traffic heading for Swadlincote at least moving slightly, I stayed with it.

And, by 9.40am – nearly two and a half hours after I set off for work – I was back where I started ... home.

I had achieved nothing. I may have well stayed in bed.

It felt like the second hard slap in the face I was subjected to that morning.